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188th Annual Dinner
With 1,100 business, community, and government leaders gathered in one room, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce’s 188th Annual Dinner was an evening to remember. Quite simply, the success of our signature event came to fruition with the support of our sponsors, speakers, attendees, and distinguished guests joining us at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.
PHOTOS BY DICK DUBROFF / FINAL FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY
Thomas R. Carper Honored with Josiah Marvel Cup
THE DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE awarded its prestigious Josiah Marvel Cup to the Honorable Thomas R. Carper. Established in 1951, the Marvel Cup honors a Delawarean who has made an outstanding contribution to the state, community, or society. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the State Chamber’s highest honor is named in memory of the Honorable Josiah Marvel, who reorganized and served as the first president of the State Chamber in 1913. As a tradition, the recipient of the Marvel Cup is kept secret until the night of the dinner.
Former state treasurer, congressman, governor, and U.S. senator, Carper dedicated himself as a public servant for nearly 50 years. After moving to Delaware and obtaining an MBA from the University of Delaware, he was elected as state treasurer in 1976 where he led the development of Delaware’s first cash management system. He then went on to serve five terms as Delaware’s lone congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1993, Carper stepped into the role as Delaware’s 71st Governor with a strong focus on economic development. During his two terms, he is credited with the prevention of the closure of the General Motors and Chrysler plants; the recruitment of AstraZeneca’s U.S. headquarters; signing legislation that elevated Delaware State College to Delaware State University; creating the Delaware Workforce Development Board; and spearheading the development of Wilmington’s Riverfront. As Governor, more jobs were created in his administration than any eight-year period in Delaware history.
“No man has had a more influential, longer lasting, or farther-reaching impact on Delaware’s political landscape than that achieved by my friend and wingman Tom Carper.” — U.S. Senator Chris Coons
Carper returned to the nation’s capital in 2001 to serve four terms in the U.S. Senate. During his time in Congress, Carper was described by many as a pragmatic, bipartisan leader. Carper will often say, “Bipartisan solutions are lasting solutions.”
A former naval flight officer in the U.S. Navy, Carper served three tours of duty in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He remained in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a P-3 aircraft mission commander for another 18 years and retired with the rank of captain. He was the last Vietnam
veteran in the U.S. Senate. A staunch advocate for veterans, Carper played a pivotal role in the passage of some of the most historic expansion of veterans’ health care benefits in the nation’s history.
“No man has had a more influential, longer lasting, or farther-reaching impact on Delaware’s political landscape than that achieved by my friend and wingman Tom Carper,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “He has accomplished so much for so many, regardless of party or alignment. Now that he has stepped away from a life of public service, we know two things: we will have to work overtime to fill the shoes he left behind; but we can also take solace in knowing he will never truly retire, and we will see him on a mic again soon.”
Dick DiSabatino Award Presented to Nancy W. Cook
IN A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT at the 188th Annual Dinner, the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce presented the Honorable Nancy W. Cook with the esteemed Dick DiSabatino Award, which was established in the mid-1990s to recognize significant contributions to shaping opinion and public policy in the state of Delaware.
Nancy W. Cook began her storied career as the first elected female Democratic Delaware state senator and concluded her formal career in public service as the longest-serving woman in the Delaware General Assembly. Cook took the seat in 1974 after the death of her husband Allen J. Cook, who held it for 16 years before that. She served the area west of Dover for 36 years under seven governors.
Cook is described as a woman who treated the job of legislating and improving the state’s finances as a personal commitment to the people of Delaware. While in the senate, Cook held various leadership roles, including senate majority whip, chair of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, and chair of the Joint Capital Bond Bill Committee. She is also the longest serving Joint Finance Committee (JFC) co-chair in Delaware’s history.
Known as a Delaware General Assembly icon, you will still find Cook in Legislative Hall working to improve the quality of life for all Delawareans. She still serves on the board of the Delaware Strategic Fund, which supports business expansion, retention, and relocation through grants and low-interest loans to projects that grow Delaware’s economy in a significant way.
“The DiSabatino award is given out to people who have made an impact on public policy in Delaware. There are few more deserving of this award than my friend, Senator Nancy Cook,” said City of Wilmington Mayor John Carney. “Senator Cook has been my loyal, supportive advisor throughout my career in public service. She’s been my guide in navigating the General Assembly and has been a sounding board for many of the tough decisions we came up against in my administration. I’m grateful for her service and her friendship and congratulate her, her son Tommy, and all of her friends and colleagues for this recognition.”
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Delaware: A Unique Cornerstone in Global Business
ROD WARD, president and CEO of CSC, opened his keynote remarks with a reflection on Delaware’s unique position as a leader in corporate law, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation to maintain its competitive edge.
“Delaware has long set the standard for corporate law,” Ward declared, sharing that 68% of Fortune 500 companies and nearly 80% of U.S. IPOs are registered in the state. However, he warned that this success could not be taken for granted.
Ward reminded the audience of Delaware’s corporate law legacy, tracing its roots to 1899 with the creation of the General Corporation Law. He also spotlighted CSC’s parallel growth, beginning with its founding by Christopher Ward and Josiah Marvel—the namesake of the State Chamber’s highest honor, the Marvel Cup.
“For over 125 years, CSC has been the business behind business,” Ward said. “From our earliest days, we have supported Delaware’s rise as the domicile of choice for corporations, providing best-in-class solutions that help our clients grow responsibly and confidently.”
Ward stressed the importance of Delaware’s corporate franchise to the state’s economy. “The corporate franchise represents more than one-third of the state’s total revenue,” he said. “This revenue supports essential services, from education to infrastructure to workforce development and housing needs, while enabling Delaware to remain one of the few states without a sales tax.”
Ward then turned his attention to both domestic and international competitors. “The advantages that made Delaware the leader in corporate law are now being replicated elsewhere,” he said, citing Texas’ newly established Business Court as an example. Internationally, Ward noted competition from places like Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Cayman Islands.
These examples highlight the urgent need for Delaware to innovate and adapt. “History doesn’t repeat, but it often rhymes,” Ward cautioned, referencing New Jersey’s fall from its position as the nation’s corporate capital over a century ago.
In front of Delaware’s business, government, and community leaders, Ward issued a call to action with four key strategies: invest in strengths, seek consensus, maintain transparency, and compete with confidence.
Ward finished with a personal commitment to preserving Delaware’s legacy. Reflecting on his late father, Rodman Ward Jr., a prominent Delaware corporate litigator and champion of the state’s corporate franchise, Ward said, “This is very personal for me. My father spent his life advocating for Delaware’s corporate legacy. He’s looking down tonight, and I can hear him say, ‘Don’t mess this up.’”
“Strength united is stronger. Let us rise to this occasion together, ensuring that when our efforts are complete, we can look forward knowing that we have passed on to future Delawareans a franchise that remains second to none.” — Rod Ward
“Strength united is stronger,” Ward concluded. “Let us rise to this occasion together, ensuring that when our efforts are complete, we can look forward knowing that we have passed on to future Delawareans a franchise that remains second to none.”
GOVERNOR
A New Chapter for Delaware
JUST BEFORE HIS INAUGURATION, Governor Matt Meyer opened his remarks at his very first Annual Dinner with a message of gratitude towards the Delaware State Chamber: “I truly appreciate the work that Mike, Marie, and the State Chamber do every day, year-round, to keep our economy vibrant and innovative and to help expand quality job opportunities across Delaware.”
He reflected on Delaware’s history of punching above its weight, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit that has defined the state since the founding of DuPont. “Businesses are born here, grow here, and thrive here,” he emphasized. “As your next governor, I’m committed to fostering an environment where we partner with you so you can grow. We will make it easier for you to expand, pioneer, and succeed. And we will lead with policies that serve as a model to our nation.” Next, he outlined those policies:
Economic Development: Doubling down on innovation and creating jobs in clean energy, biotech, and life sciences while enhancing the stability of our corporate franchise, financial services sector, and agriculture.
Workforce Development: Creating a world-class workforce to attract and retain businesses who want to relocate and do business here. Referencing the Dinner’s keynote speaker, Rod Ward of CSC, Governor Meyer praised the Ward family’s contributions to Delaware over the last 125 years, calling CSC “a shining example of entrepreneurial spirit and community reinvestment.”
Education: A former public school math teacher, Governor Meyer emphasized a renewed focus on public K-12 education, particularly early childhood learning, and providing resources centered on students and teachers.
Recognizing the connection between business success and community well-being, Governor Meyer stressed the importance of investments in health care, affordable housing, and public infrastructure. An avid cyclist, he also advocated for expanding recreational opportunities, jokingly proposing that Delaware become the “pickleball capital of America.”
Closing his remarks, Governor Meyer thanked the State Chamber and its members for their partnership. “We need the whole package I outlined if we’re going to build a Delaware for today and tomorrow,” he emphasized. “I’m going to need the Chamber’s assistance to make these and other policies a reality. I want to work with you and listen to you to develop policies that will invest in creating a stronger community for all of us.”
DSCC Welcomes New Board Members in 2025
THE DELAWARE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE has welcomed new members to the Board of Directors and Board of Governors.
Members joining the Board of Directors are:
Greg Smith, Chemours
Ann B. Wayne, BSN, RN, SUN Behavioral Delaware
Bob McGuckin, Verizon
The following business leaders were elected to the State Chamber’s Board of Governors:
Michael A. Albero, CPA, MST, AKA Advisory
Christopher Carroll, Comcast
Janet Dougherty, Fulton Bank, NA
Brian Frazee, Delaware Healthcare Association
Joseph V. Giordano, Whisman Giordano & Associates, LLC
Bayard Hogans, Enstructure Mid-Atlantic
Michael Houghton, Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, , ret.
Mark R. Marcantano, JD, Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley
Lloyd A. Ricketts, Wilmington University
Mike Tatoian, Dover Motor Speedway
Ivan Thomas, DETV
Phillip J. Vavala, Delmarva Power
Rod Ward, CSC
Ed Winslow, Citizens Bank
“ On behalf of the D elaware State Chamber and its Board, we are pleased to welcome these representatives from our member organizations to our Board of Directors and Board of Governors. Their perspectives and active engagement with the State Chamber will help us continue to fulfill our mission of connecting people, solving problems, and fostering a stronger, more competitive Delaware for all.” — Board Chair Marie Holliday
Board Member of the Year
EACH YEAR, a board member is recognized by State Chamber staff as Board Member of the Year. This year, John Gooden, chief operating officer at M. Davis & Sons, was chosen as the honoree for his exceptional contributions to the organization. John serves as vice chair of the Board of Directors, co-chairs the Delaware Manufacturing Association, and chaired the State Chamber’s Strategic Planning Committee.
